Place-Based and Community Based Policies

Transcription

1 Place-Based and Community Based Policies Liz Weaver, Vibrant Communities Canada Local solutions for reducing poverty in Canada Tamarack An Institute for Community Engagement.

2 What is Public Policy?

3 Policy in 25 words or less At the end of the day, the formulation of public policy involves a process of making good decisions for the public good. What is Policy? Caledon Institute of Social Policy, September 2005

4 Different Policy Areas Substantive and administrative policies Complex problems or a focus on procedures Vertical and horizontal policies Vertical (upward) and horizontal (across) Reactive and proactive policies Response to economic crisis or national skills agenda Current and future policies» Source: What is policy? Caledon Institute of Social Policy

5 Place Based? Place-based approaches use local actors, knowledge and resources to provide locally-relevant responses to issues that are seen to be too complex to have simple solutions implemented by a lone actor. Horizon Policy Brief, Policy Research Initiatives 2011.

6 Current Context Increasing interest in place-based interventions tackling complex issues Increasing number of multi-sector collaborations Growing capacity in organizations and collaborations to address place-based change through policy influence Growing interest and expectations by government to ensure policies are relevant to community Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy

7 An effective place-based policy requires comprehensive inter-agency collaboration and investment that can facilitate an increased impact of federal dollars and a greater return on federal investments. Place policies target the prosperity, equity, sustainability and livability or places how well or how poorly they function as places and how they change over time.» White House Memo Developing Effective Place- Based Policies for the FY 2011 Budget

8 Principles for Place Policy Clear, measurable and carefully evaluated goals economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, community health and access to opportunity, safety and security Change comes from the community level and often through partnership, complex problems require flexible, integrated solutions Many important challenges demand a regional approach» White House Memo

9 6 Theories about How Policy Change Happens Large Leaps Coalition Framework Policy Windows Prospect Theory Power Politics Grassroots Needs right mix of conditions for major change Coordinated activity by number of individuals/groups Political climate is critical Framing of options or approaches fit with decision-makers Working directly with those in power Collective action at community level in issues affecting their lives

10 Collaboration on Policy Community

11 Collaboration on Policy Process Developed a community of practice Shared and themed approaches Recognized and valued differences Developed a policy monitoring tool Tracked policy changes Built policy capacity in all partners

12 Step 1: Policy Influence Understand Context Identify policy measures relevant to your issue Understand current government priorities to determine how community interventions can line up with priorities (early wins) Be aware of changes that might help or hinder work (election, budget, change in leadership, senior staff changes)

13 Step 2: Policy Monitoring Monthly tracking of key announcements from all three levels of government Lessons Learned Useful to partners Be careful when tracking often multiple announcements are made about same program Needs to be simple and user friendly Need agreement on key areas to track

14 Step 3: Building the Case for Change: Urgent and Compelling Need Tell it in facts Tell it in a story Consider Supply and Demand Be ready to defend duplication Focus on partnerships Don t blame anyone for the unmet needs Why are you best to address the need

15 Step 4: Build Relationships Build a partner base including relevant and unusual partners (business, advocacy) Understand the unique perspectives of partners and their needs, pressures and accountabilities Take the time to build the collaborative team invest in relationship building

16 Step 5: Manage Collaborative Relationships around Policy Ensure appropriate convening leadership credibility Renew and support leadership on an ongoing basis Focus on outcomes and desired behaviours not personality traits

17 Step 6: Monitor and Track Results Develop a pathways (framework) to change approach Track results in terms of both process and outcomes Monitor results at three levels household, organization and community level shifts or changes

18 Why do this work?

19 Benefits of Collaborating on Policy Issues Increased opportunity to pool resources and leverage influence Can make considerable progress valued as a shared voice Can transcend individual mandates to build a stronger case for change

20 Vibrant Communities Policy Approaches Working with partners external to local community (government departments, provincial coalitions) Getting directly engaged in the policy process (all levels of government- policy briefs, hosting community sessions) Advocating on substantive policy issues (transit, housing, early learning) Community collaboratives (linking and facilitating) Inclusive Decision-making (citizen engagement)

21 Vibrant Communities Policy Outcomes Impact Influenced funding process Impact Increased level and use of resources Impact - Increases in community level assets targeted at reducing poverty across all 13 community partners

22 Challenges Creating and holding together the collaborative policy table Takes time build time for relationships No or limited funding to support collaborative efforts Who leads, who follows, who takes the credit?

23 Representation Need to support/encourage non- traditional partners business, citizens, others Understand the contributions and limitations of government representatives Determine when, and if, engagement of elected officials is critical, required or not

24 Impact and Accountability Measurement will assist in managing accountability Track process and outcomes Detail your contribution to the change be as specific as possible and be open to other contributions

25 Final Thoughts Building Place- Based Policy Capacity Monitor current policy developments Build an evidence base Policy approaches Ensure access to programs Improving existing measures Creating new measures Reducing costs Designing appropriate environments Ensure compatibility of policy measures Assess policy impact

26 Resources: Caledon Institute of Social Policy Vibrant Communities Canada Tamarack Institute Provincial and National partners and networks Organizations and Collaboratives in your community Local solutions for reducing poverty in Canada Tamarack An Institute for Community Engagement.